The sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" took in $16.6 million followed by last week's toppers, "I Am Legend" (adding $10.9 million to its gross) and "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (picking up $8.4 million more).

"Sweeney Todd" took in an opening-night tally of $3.8 despite only being shown in approximately a third of the movie houses as the top three films. (The movie musical played on 1,249 screens compared to "Treasure" - 3,832; "Legend" - 3,620; and "Alvin" - 3,499.)

Aaron Sorkin's "Charlie Wilson's War" — in which Mike Nichols directed Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman — rounded out the top five with $2.8 million on 2,575 screens.

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Even before the official release, "Sweeney Todd" had garnered acclaim. It was among 2007's top ten films for the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, Time Magazine and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society. "Sweeney Todd" was also nominated for Critics' Choice Awards (Best Picture, Acting Ensemble, Actor - Johnny Depp, Director and Young Actor - Edward Sanders) and Golden Globes (Picture, Director, Actor - Depp, Actress - Helena Bonham Carter). John Logan ("The Aviator," "Gladiator," Never the Sinner) penned the DreamWorks/Warner Bros. film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical.

The film stars Depp as the title barber, Bonham Carter as piemaker Mrs. Lovett as well as Alan Rickman (Private Lives), Timothy Spall and Sacha Baron Cohen. The ensemble also features Laura Michelle Kelly (Fiddler on the Roof), Jamie Campbell Bowen, Jayne Wisener and newcomer Edward Sanders. For more information visit sweeneytoddmovie.com.